(505) 864-9568

101 Becker Ave. Belen, NM 87002

FaceBook: BelenGojuRyuKarate

Self Defense | Self Discipline | Self Confidence

Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate

At Belen Goju Ryu, we teach traditional Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate - a system of karate developed by Chojun Miyagi in Okinawa. All classes are taught by Sensei Richard and Cindy Long, 6th Degree Black Belts in Goju Ryu. Sensei Richard and Cindy continue their own personal training under the world renowned Kimo Wall Sensei, founder of Kodokan Goju Ryu Karate. Students also learn a number of classical kata from other systems of karate as well as Chinese White Crane. Our students gain a well rounded knowledge of disciplines important to the development of any good martial artist including:

Non-violent Conflict Management Skills

Strength, Balance, Coordination, Speed, and Power Development

Values: Courtesy, Respect, Citizenship

Traditional Kata & Weapons Program

Free-Sparring & Tournament Sparring

Effective Self Defense Skills

Tournament Competition Available - Not Required

Class Times - FREE ONE WEEK TRIAL

Our classes are grouped together according to age and size so that students train with others similiar to their own size and level of mental and physical development.

ALL AGES, ALL RANKS

WEAPONS

Our Goju Ryu lineage is as follows:

He was the Master who influenced Miyagi Chojun to develop Goju Ryu Karate.

Miyagi Chojun

Founder of Goju Ryu Karate.

Dedicated his life to developing and researching kata.

Higa Seiko

Senior student of Miyagi Chjun.

Founder of Sho Do Kan Dojo.

Kimo Wall Sensei

with Cindy and Richard Long

Belen Goju Ryu Karate

Here at Belen Goju Ryu we train with a combination of Goju styles. After three years in TaeKwonDo, we began our training with a 5th. Dan Goju Black Belt, Joe Mercado, from the South Bronx whose Goju Stlyle was Peter Urban's Goju USA, and he especially favored the sparring (kumite) and not much on forms (kata).

We received our 1st. Black Belt from him and eventually made 4th. Dan under his instruction. After taking over the school of 12 students, three days a week, when he moved to Florida, we grew the school to over 150 students, teaching six days a week.

We then were independent for many years going to many seminars by many well known martial artists learning all we could. Then we were introduced to a Japanese Goju 5th. Dan Black Belt, Gustavo Albear, from Peoria, Illinois. He focused mainly on kata and showed us how kata is the encyclopedia for self defense. We were certified 5th. Dan under his instruction. Then in 1999 we were then introduced to an Okinawan Goju 7th. Dan Black Belt, Kimo Wall Sensei. Through his instruction we were shown the difference between Japanese Goju and the true Okinawan Goju. We learned much more of the fighting application (bunkai) and how doing it in the Okinawan way made it more logical and effective. We wanted to line all our Goju kata after Kimo Sensei's instruction. We are certified 6th. Dan under Kimo Sensei as of November, 2005.

Kimo Sensei is the founder of Kodukan and we did not want to change our whole syllabus for several reasons but our classical kata is done as he teaches. Kimo Sensei also instructs us in our Matayoshi Kobudo.

We do host a tournament in our daughter's name each October. This year the date is October 20, 2018 and more information is on ourTournamentand Tournament rules and Judging criterion page. This is an open Karate event and the proceeds go to help fund the scholarship program, also in her name, to help students attend college.

The Annual

Captain Tamara Long-Archuleta

Memorial Open Karate Championship

Our school patch: The helmet represents our daughter and all who serve in our armed forces. We practice to defend ourselves, our families, our community, and our country. We are proud Americans, thus the flag background. Our systems' root is White Crane which is represented by the figure in the crane pose. The three rivets n the helmet represent Body, Mind, and Spirit which are the three battles in our fundamental kata, Sanchin.

Belen Goju Ryu Karate

Belen Goju Ryu Karate started in May, 1988. Our purpose has always been to teach the most effective street self defense in all ranges of combat, along with traditional Goju Ryu Karate. Our students are taught to work hard to improve themselves physically and mentally. We expect students to avoid physical violence except as a last resort, and to be good citizens in their families, school, or work.

Through consistent training at Belen Goju Ryu Karate students will develop a positive self esteem and self confidence, along with physical and mental strength to deal positively with daily life.